Welcome Chapel

9/2/2025

Radical Hospitality at Chatham Hall

“How shall we live? Be welcoming to all.” ~ Mechtild of Magdeburg

The new academic year began in true Chatham Hall tradition with our Welcome Chapel, a time for the community to gather, sing, reflect, and set intentions for the year ahead. The cover of the bulletin featured original artwork by Nysie Hurst P`25, whose painting “Swayed by the Sun” set the perfect tone for this new beginning.

Gathering in Song and Spirit

The service opened in the St. Mary’s Courtyard with our handbell, by Jane W. ’26, which added a moment of beauty and stillness, preparing hearts for the sacred time ahead. Words of welcome from Chaplain Barksdale were followed by a joyful community song led by Mr. John Scott. Voices joined together in I Love the Mountains, filling the air with playful energy.

Gathering Words

In the Chapel, Nissa B. ’27 led the Gathering Words, inviting everyone to enter into the service with open hearts:

Welcome to this sacred space, where love and grace interlace.
With open hearts, we gather here, as one community, near and dear…
My spirit to rejoice, my soul to proclaim!

The community then rose for the processional hymn All Are Welcome by Marty Haugen, a song that reminds us that Chatham Hall is a place where people of all backgrounds and beliefs can belong.

Interfaith Reflections

This month's themed chapel centered on radical hospitality and explored through sacred texts and traditions how we live together in community.

Baha’i Tradition – Charlie H. ’28 read the words of Abdu’l-Baha from the Paris Talks, encouraging friendship with all people as a force that grows stronger until it reaches all humanity.
Indigenous Tradition – Mr. John Kingery shared the wisdom of Chief Si’ahl (Seattle), who taught that all life is connected like a great web: “Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.”
Christian Tradition – Ivy B. ’26 read from 1 Peter 4:8-10, reminding us to love one another steadily and unselfishly, and to use our gifts for the good of all.

After each reading, our community observed a moment of silence, a contemplative practice led by Ella I. ’27, allowing time for inward listening.

A Reflection on Radical Hospitality

In her reflection, Chaplain Barksdale drew connections across the readings, noting that radical hospitality calls us to go “all in”—with our hearts, our minds, and our spirits. She shared the Celtic story of St. Kevin, who, while praying with outstretched arms, allowed a blackbird to build a nest in his open hand. Rather than withdrawing, Kevin held steady until the chicks were hatched and ready to fly.

This story, she mused, mirrors the steadfast love of our Seniors as they carry their lanterns with arms outstretched for the community. It also invites all of us to welcome the unexpected, to surrender to life’s interruptions with patience, and to discover the gifts they may bring.

“Radical hospitality,” she said, “is at the heart of our school. Here we live in community by creating a meaningful space for a diversity of people, with a wide range of beliefs, to learn and grow.”

Student Leadership in Worship

The theme of welcome was embodied throughout the service by student leaders:

Addy A. ’27 and Sophie T. ’29 led the community in Passing the Peace, modeling the joy of greeting one another across traditions and cultures.
Avery H. ’26 offered a heartfelt Community Prayer, asking that we become good stewards of the world and seek common ground.
Miriam S. ’29 led the congregation in praying the Lord’s Prayer together, reminding us that God is ever present in our lives.

Sending Forth

The Chapel concluded with members of our faculty, Mr. Chalfinch, Mrs. Dixon, and Mrs. Andrade, leading a trio to introduce our community to he hymn Lord, Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing. As has become the school’s tradition, Chaplain Barksdale led our responsive dismissal, “Go in peace to love and serve,” with a joyful “Amen!” that followed.

The service closed with the poem St. Kevin Holds Open His Hand, a meditation on openness, patience, and the courage to welcome what is unexpected.

A Year of Radical Hospitality

As we step into a new school year, we carry forward this call to radical hospitality: to open our hands, hearts, and spirits, to live with compassion and generosity, and to discover the gifts that come when we truly welcome one another.